Silly question -- Garage doors

[Eckie]

Ok -- this may be painfully obvious, but I've never had to do it before, and I'm just not sure ---

My double-garage door is really squealing lately as the opener raises and lowers it -- is it ok to lube it? If so, can basic silicone lube be used?

Also, when applying, are there certain components that one should NOT lubricate?

Thanks --

[Jim Almquist]

If you check out lubes in your hardware store there is stuff made just for garage doors. It works but WD40 or silicone would do a decent job in a pinch. The stuff that is made for doors is a little thicker and will stick better to your automatic door opener chain a little better as well as the the roller wheels.

[CAMAN]

I've been told it's not good to lubricate things like the rails and only put a light coat of lube on the chain and bearings.

Squealing on garage doors usually means something is out of whack and lube is just a band-aid for a bigger problem.

You may want to call a door professional to give it an adjustment. My double door was squealing a ton after last winter, lubed the bearings and adjusted a couple hinges but it never totally went away. My torsion spring broke a month or so ago, so I hired a pro to replace it. While he was here he also gave the door a once over and adjusted everything. The door has never sounded better and tracked so smooth.

[Tom7227]

WD40 is not a lube it is a degreaser and cleaner. It may help to get things cleaned up a bit but isn't the end of the process. Do a search and see what you can find on the web, particularly if you can ID the door you have and see if they have something on the web about maintenance.

[Surface Tension]

Use oil on the chain or grease on a worm drive.

Use gear oil on the hinges and on the bearings in the rollers. A spray white lithium grease would also work on the bearings.

I tend not to grease any or the track because it attracts dirt and is messy.

Could be that the door is binding or out of alignment in the track and creating excess drag and friction on rollers.

Also check for binding on the stops/weather striping.

[Macgyver55]

WD40 is not a lube it is a degreaser and cleaner.

It most certainly is a lubricant! Granted it is a light lubricant but one of the first things listed for uses on the can is lubricates hinges and rollers. Degreasing and cleaning is just another attribute of the ingredients.

The best reason to use something like this is it that it penetrates, lubricates, then dries so it does not attract dirt and grime, then protects metal against rust from moisture. In fact WD40 is recommended by several garage door websites I've looked at. The worst thing to use on rollers and tracks is grease. It attracts dirt and grime that builds up and causes drag on the rollers in the track.

[echotrail]

I had the overhead springs replaced and the tech said the rollers, drive screw, or chain should be lubricated once a month.

[Down Deep]

I use a grease on the rails the is formulated for cold weather. This is the same grease I use for lubricating my snowmobile. I reapply a light coat about once a year. I use regular motor oil to lube the chain drive and roller bearings. Door is over 15 years old and functioning perfectly with minimal noise.

[Surface Tension]

I like WD-40 to flush out old grease, oil and the dirt stuck to it so in that way it is a solvent but yes it has light lubricating properties as well.

[Eckie]

I bought some garage door lube and applied it as suggested - problem solved.

Thanks guys!